We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We purchased and tested the 13 best GPS watches from Apple, Garmin, Coros, Suunto, and more to help you find the perfect watch for training and adventures
We purchased and compared the best GPS watches side by side to make it easier for you to find the best overall value.
A GPS watch can be a handy sidekick for athletic training, daily fitness, or backcountry travel. The best watches provide you with accurate navigation, useful health metrics, and even the ability to answer phone calls.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is our favorite overall model for its lightweight design, long battery life, and exceptional accuracy.
The Coros Apex 4 is the best bang for your buck, pairing a titanium case with full offline maps, plenty of battery life, and the ability to make phone calls, all for nearly half the cost of flagship models.
If you're shopping on a tight budget, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers real-time running guidance, as well as useful features like offline music and contactless payment, all for less than $300.
Over the last decade, our team of experts has purchased and tested more than 50 of the best GPS watches, with the top 13 in our current review. We logged more than 15 training hours per week, testing each model to assess features and nuances, including battery life, ease of use, and accuracy.
Editor's Note: We updated our review of GPS watches on May 22, 2026, to add five new watches from Suunto, Coros, and Garmin, and to update our award-winning lineup.
Highly accurate GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring
CONS
Shorter battery than solar or non-bright-screen models
Expensive
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is built for runners and multi-sport athletes who demand performance and dependability. It uses advanced satellite positioning and an upgraded heart rate sensor to deliver industry-leading accuracy. The screen is among the best Garmin has ever produced, with a bright display that's easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The newest Forerunner now features a dedicated flashlight, a speaker and microphone for calls, and heart rhythm monitoring via an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. The slim titanium build, seemingly endless sport modes, and highly customizable data screens make this great for athletes who like to dive into the details. Our lead tester explains, “This is the model I recommend to all serious athletes who want the lightest GPS watch with the most expansive feature set”.
The biggest drawback of the Forerunner 970 is the significant price increase over its predecessor, the Forerunner 965. Battery life on the 970 still trails that of the Garmin models, like the Enduro 3. Some may also find the smaller screen on the Forerunner 970 harder for navigation. Still, these are minor concerns for a very refined GPS watch. If you're a serious athlete who prioritizes performance over smartwatch integration, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the top option. That said, iPhone users who prioritize convenient smartwatch features over performance should compare this watch against the Apple Watch Ultra 3. If you don't need the latest and greatest tech but still want a solid GPS watch for running, check out the Coros Apex 4.
With its bright screen and performance-focused interface, the Forerunner 970 is our top option for athletes, especially runners. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 refines what is already the best smartwatch available for athletes and adventurers. The display is brighter and more power-efficient than the previous model, leading to better battery life. Dual-satellite-supported GPS is now available to anyone with a cellular plan, while SOS is available for all models. Health tracking continues to lead the industry with excellent interface design and phone integration. There is now a sleep score, hypertension detection (pending FDA approval), and the return of a blood oxygen metric. The construction of the Ultra 3 remains unchanged from previous designs, besides colorways. “The software and interface on the Ultra remain my favorite for phone-related tasks,” noted our lead tester, making this our favorite model to walk the line between an athletic training watch and a convenient smartwatch.
Despite the improvements to its training-related apps, there are times when the Ultra 3 feels more like a premium smartwatch than a useful training tool. The casual user is less likely to mind these small critiques, whereas serious athletes may want to consider other options. Data screens on the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the more affordable Suunto Run are more readable, customizable, and informative. Battery life is also a concern for anyone who wants to track multiple hours of activity every day, and extended outings may make the Ultra 3 feel more like a liability than a tool. For multi-day backpacking trips or ultra-endurance events, a watch like the Suunto Vertical 2, or Garmin Enduro 3 is likely a better option – the Vertical offers 66 hours as opposed to the Ultra 3's 16 hours of battery life, while the Enduro 3 offers an unmatched 120 hours (and it's solar charging!). However, if you're after a convenient watch that blends smartphone integration with health-related training tools, the Ultra 3 is the watch for you.
Do not let our critique fool you, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is still a highly capable option for athletes tracking their training. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Coros Apex 4 fills a long-standing gap in mid-priced GPS watches. This new watch from Coros offers detailed navigation, a speaker and microphone for phone calls, and heart rhythm monitoring via an accurate electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. Thanks to this latest upgrade, heart rate accuracy has greatly improved compared to previous models. The addition of dual-frequency positioning, which connects to signals from two different satellites to improve accuracy, has also greatly improved GPS tracking for trail runners. It has a remarkable battery life, especially considering its price point – even with the always-on display, we could go nearly two weeks between charges, even with daily GPS use. The titanium case and scratch-resistant sapphire glass give this watch a premium feel that's sharp enough to wear to the office, but durable enough to scramble around the mountains on the weekends. Our lead tester applauded these upgrades: “The Apex 4 finally gives Coros fans a legit training watch without having to step up to Garmin's flagship pricing.”
But that last point is really important – the Apex 4 is much more of a training watch designed for athletes than a smartwatch designed for everyday convenience. It doesn't offer contactless payments, and there is no marketplace for third-party apps. The Suunto Race 2 is the most direct alternative to the Apex 4. Although you lose a bit of battery life, you get a much brighter, more vivid display, though it is still very much a watch designed for athletic training. The even more affordable Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers convenient smartwatch features like contactless payments and offline music. The trade-off, however, is one-third of the Apex 4's battery life, less accurate GPS tracking, no detailed maps, and a much less durable case and display. If you want it all, you really have to step up to a flagship model like the Garmin Forerunner 970. But for runners and other athletes who want a functional tool to support their training, there's no smarter buy than the Coros Apex 4.
The Apex 4 is a significant upgrade over previous Coros models, bringing fully detailed maps to this range of watches for the first time. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 packs Garmin's most polished training features into a much more affordable GPS watch. The sport profile count has jumped from roughly 30 on the previous model to over 80, covering nearly every activity you might track. This watch also now includes real-time running guidance, tracking everything from ground contact time to stride length to help you improve your running form. These features were previously reserved for Garmin's more expensive watches, like the Forerunner 970, and their availability at this price point makes the Vivoactive 6 a genuine running watch rather than just a lifestyle tracker. Weighing only 1.3 ounces, it's also one of the lightest and slimmest watches in our lineup, making it an excellent choice for athletes with smaller wrists or anyone who wants an unobtrusive daily wearable. Our lead tester explained, “The Vivoactive 6 is the most capable Garmin watch you can buy without paying a premium price.”
The main compromise is battery life – we measured only 20 hours in GPS mode, which is modest, considering the Coros Pace 4 offers double that for a similar price. The Vivoactive 6 also uses standard satellite positioning rather than the advanced technology that improves accuracy in canyons and dense forests. There are no detailed topo maps either, so anyone who wants to venture off-trail will have to carry a phone. That said, these trade-offs make sense for the right person: road runners, gym-goers, and everyday fitness enthusiasts who want a watch with convenient features like contactless payments and offline music will find a ton of value in the Garmin Vivoactive 6.
The Garmin Enduro 3 is our top choice for serious ultra-athletes and folks going on extended expeditions. Its lightweight design and enhanced solar charging capabilities make it a practical alternative to the even more costly Fenix series, which includes features that some users may find unnecessary. The Enduro 3 stands out for its GPS tracking for up to 320 hours, and even if you don't have the sun to charge it, it still offers 120 hours of battery life. The large screen makes it easier to view data at a glance, and improved screen resolution makes it even easier to read under direct sunlight. Garmin's intuitive user interface and button layout make this watch particularly easy to use, and a dedicated LED flashlight is especially useful for navigating camp at night. It includes expedition essentials, such as advanced satellite tracking, an altimeter, and a barometer, as well as excellent accuracy in GPS and heart rate monitoring.
The Enduro 3 is easily the best scoring watch in our lineup, but it's expensive. The Fenix 8 Solar is even more expensive than the Enduro 3, but it also includes apps specifically for scuba diving. While the Fenix 8 also includes a microphone and speaker for phone calls, the trade-off is battery life, which is half that of the Enduro 3. Another important difference between the two is the size options. The Fenix 8 is available in three different sizes, but without any other options, the large, 51-millimeter case of the Enduro 3 may simply be too big for smaller wrists. It's also well worth comparing these top-tier watches against the Garmin Forerunner 970 or, for Apple users, the Apple Watch Ultra 3. We've highlighted these watches as the best options for most people – they're just as user-friendly with most of the same features, albeit with less battery life, but they are also more reasonably priced. If you're less concerned about convenient smartwatch features, the Coros Vertix 2S is the only other watch in our lineup with a battery life directly comparable to the Enduro 3.
The larger screen on the Garmin Enduro 3 makes it easier to navigate maps directly on the watch, so you can leave your phone in your pocket or pack. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Coros Pace 4 maintains its edge over other budget models by offering nearly twice the battery life of any other watch we tested at this price point. What's even more remarkable is that it improved battery life over the previous model while also upgrading to a brighter display that's even easier to read in direct sunlight. Daily use lasted about six days with the display always on, while switching to a gesture-based wake-up extended that to roughly 19 days between charges. Weighing just over an ounce with the nylon band, the Pace 4 is also one of the lightest GPS watches we have ever tested. Coros offers a full training suite, with structured workouts and a useful lap-undo feature, all without a subscription. “For runners who want a lightweight watch with exceptional battery life, the Pace 4 is a clear recommendation,” says our lead tester.
To keep the price affordable, the Pace 4 is intentionally lean on extras. It doesn't include detailed topographic maps, just breadcrumb navigation, and there is no music storage, contactless payment, or third-party app marketplace. For runners who already carry their phone and want their watch purely for training data and GPS navigation, the minimalist design is welcome. But for other athletes who want more smartwatch features, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 adds contactless payment, offline music, and thousands of free apps. The tradeoff, however, is that the Vivoactive 6 has half the battery life of the Pace 4. To get fully detailed topo maps, the Coros Apex 4 costs nearly double. But again, if you already carry your phone, then the Coros Pace 4 is a reasonably priced way to start tracking your training.
The Coros Pace 4 has an impressively bright, vivid display, which makes it easy to check your stats mid-run. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Product Comparison Table
Testing of GPS watches occurs in a wide variety of conditions. Here, the new Coros watches get tested on a frigid morning of ice climbing in Colorado. Credit: Matthew Richardson
How We Tested
We purchase each watch at full retail, just like you, before diving into testing. From days out running, skiing, climbing, and biking, we analyze the features, accuracy, and usability. Our team is proud to share our recommendations and help you find the best GPS watch for your needs.
Our GPS watch testing is divided into six rating metrics:
This review is headed up by Matthew Richardson. Matthew works with maps for a living and spends his free time outdoors near his home in Durango, Colorado. He uses a GPS watch daily and has completed some big outings, such as a solo ride on the Colorado Trail and linking up the Chicago Basin 14ers in a day. He has personally tested and retested every watch in this lineup over the last several years and has a deep understanding of how even the most nuanced features might help support your daily activities.
Testing GPS watches in various terrains and while doing various activities gives a clearer picture of their capabilities.
Analysis and Test Results
There are many GPS watches on the market these days, and finding the one that fits your needs can be a tough project. Most of them look alike, and many of them offer similar features. We tested each model for months to assess how useful they are as a daily smartwatch and as a tool to support your athletic training.
We purchased the best GPS watches currently on the market and tested them side by side. By comparing them directly, we can tease out the nuanced differences to help you find the best one for your needs and budget.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
GPS watches are an investment, but there's also a pretty broad price range. If you're looking for a watch purely for tracking distance and heart rate, you can choose one of the more affordable options. If you want a training watch that also includes the convenient apps of a daily smartwatch, you will likely have to pay a bit more.
Coros Pace 4: This is the most affordable watch we recommend, because it offers more than twice the battery life of any other watch costing less than $300. You still get accurate GPS breadcrumb tracking, but it doesn't support detailed topographic maps, nor does it offer any of the convenient apps of a smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive 6: The Vivoactive 6 doesn't offer detailed topographic maps, either. But you do get convenient smartwatch features like contactless payments and offline music, plus thousands of downloadable apps to support your training and fitness goals. The tradeoff is that it has half the battery life of the Pace 4.
Coros Apex 4: This one is the best bang for your buck. Unlike the Pace 4 or Vivoactive 6, the Apex 4 supports fully detailed topo maps and offers better battery life than either watch. It may not have contactless payment, but unlike the other two, it does include a microphone and speaker so you can make phone calls.
Wait for last season's watch to go on sale. These are typically loaded with many of the same functions, and you can get them for a fraction of the retail cost.
Testing side-by-side gives us unique insight into what models excel for certain applications.
Accuracy
We know that accurate GPS recordings and metrics are important. Nobody wants wonky elevation data or elevated heart rate stats, especially with the cost of today's devices. We've been impressed with the watches in our test group, each performing adequately across the price ranges. Luckily, all the watches we tested now feature advanced satellite tracking, with some using even more precise positioning technology for improved accuracy. GPS signal strength, satellite location, watch fit, and internal hardware all have a large impact on device accuracy.
To evaluate the GPS accuracy of each watch, we ran, biked, and hiked predetermined routes of fixed lengths and compared the results directly. We also tested the watches deep in the canyons of Utah – canyons are notoriously bad for GPS watches due to the limited open line of sight to the sky.
Steep canyon walls can mess with a GPS signal. Having a dual-frequency supported watch that links to two individual satellite signals helps solve this problem. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Most watches tracked smoothly and consistently stayed within 1-3% of the actual measured distance. Advanced satellite positioning produced the best results, and as improved satellite technology becomes more standard, pretty much all premium models across brands have excellent GPS accuracy.
We analyzed all of the GPS tracks provided by the units. A) Our steep hill test shows accuracy in steep terrain. B) Winners of our steep hill test with the most uniform tracks without errors. C) All devices performed well on city streets. D) Long open straightaways also led to good GPS tracks for all units. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The new Coros Apex 4 and Pace 4, as well as the Suunto Race 2 and Vertical 2, all feature advanced satellite positioning. The more affordable Garmin Vivoactive 6, on the other hand, still uses standard satellite tracking with additional regional satellite support.
It's important to keep in mind that these advanced features generally use more battery, but these devices already have sufficient battery life to perform these tasks.
Testing the accuracy of heart rate monitors is quite a challenge. We simultaneously wore a Polar Verity Sense, an optical armband known for its accurate tracking, and compared each watch against that baseline data. One interesting, consistent finding across all watches we tested is that their heart rate sensors take roughly 10-15 minutes to settle into a steady-state reading. At the start of an activity, watches will often read several beats per minute lower than the armband. Once settled, most watches tracked within 1-3 beats per minute (BPM) of the Polar Verity Sense. This suggests that athletes seeking the most precise data for interval or threshold testing should still consider a dedicated chest strap or optical armband.
Examples of heart rate data from our test models that we compare with our control unit the Polar Verity Sense Credit: Matthew Richardson
Heart Rate Monitor Accuracy
One important thing to note about optical heart rate monitors, which every GPS watch uses, is that they do not provide reliable data for people with dark skin, tattoos, or heavy hair or sweat under the monitor. This is because they use light reflected back from your arteries to estimate your heart rate. Everything from ambient light to bursts of activity and interference from hair, melanin, tattoo ink, sweat, etc., can affect readings.
Fit is one of the most important factors for heart rate accuracy, and choosing the right case size for your wrist makes a real difference. A watch that sits loosely or shifts during activity will produce noisier readings, regardless of sensor quality. We found that athletes with smaller wrists consistently obtained better heart rate data from smaller watches like the Garmin Vivoactive 6 in the 42mm size and the Suunto Run in 45mm than from larger 50-51mm watches, which tended to bounce during high-cadence efforts.
If you are between sizes, we recommend erring toward the smaller case, especially if you're wearing a watch specifically for running. Snugging the strap one notch tighter than feels comfortable at rest also helps the sensor maintain consistent skin contact once your wrist warms up and swells slightly.
The Garmin Forerunner 970, Garmin Fenix 8 Solar, Garmin Enduro 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 were the most accurate in our heart rate testing, each tracking within an average variation of less than 1 BPM against our Verity Sense armband (once they settled into steady state). The remaining watches in our lineup all performed well, with most coming within 2-4 BPM of each other. Across the board, we were impressed with how much wrist-based heart rate accuracy has improved in this generation of watches.
The Amazfit Active Edge display is easy to see in a variety of sun conditions. We wish the model had an always-on display mode so we could see it without fully rotating our wrist while running. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Activity Use
While every watch we tested can record your heart rate and track your route via GPS, they differ greatly in the data they provide, how visible they are under different lighting conditions, and how functional they are for your sport of choice.
For running, we specifically recommend the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Coros Pace 4. The Pace 4's bright screen and vivid color make it even easier to glance quickly at your data mid-run, and the addition of a third action button improves control. Garmin has put in a lot of work over the years to build out its apps, and the Forerunner 970 offers some of the best training-specific guidance of any watch we tested.
The bright display on the Forerunner 970 is easily readable in all lighting conditions. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2 both received a major software overhaul. These watches can now run three training apps simultaneously and offer real-time intensity monitoring. For triathletes, these watches include automatic transitions specifically designed for triathlon, such as swim-run transitions. Both offer full offline maps with a redesigned navigation interface featuring larger arrows and clearer points of interest. The Coros Apex 4 brings fully detailed maps to this popular series for the first time, with fast map rendering and a new speaker for voice alerts.
The newly redesigned map on the Suunto Race 2 is even easier to navigate than ever. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It adds real-time pacing guidance that coaches you through splits, tracks metrics like stride length to help you improve your form, a power-output estimate, and more than 80 sport profiles. These were previously reserved for Garmin's flagship watches, such as the Forerunner 970 and Fenix 8, and their arrival at a mid-tier price point makes the Vivoactive 6 a genuine running watch rather than just a lifestyle tracker.
Thanks to its lightweight, slim design and updated training apps, the Vivoactive 6 has become a favorite among our testers with slender wrists. Credit: Matthew Richardson
For rugged activities, such as rock climbing, backcountry skiing, or mountaineering, we'd recommend investing in an equally robust watch. If you're an ultra-endurance athlete or go on long backpacking trips, the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar and Enduro 3 are unique because they can charge via solar power. While these are among the most expensive watches we tested, they also include every sports-related feature you could think of, making them particularly versatile.
A more robust watch is a good idea when climbing or backpacking. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Everyday Use
These watches should enhance both your training and your daily life. GPS watches have continued to evolve into full computers on your wrist, with many offering features similar to those of your smartphone. The models that scored highest were those we felt were the easiest to use and provided the best user experience. We also considered how well each watch integrated with mobile apps and how many apps were available, whether they were behind a paywall or included with your purchase.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 impressed us with how easy it is to use its immense feature set. It's really no surprise that Apple was able to beautifully blend the convenience of a smartwatch with the metrics of a training watch. Setting up and customizing notifications is a breeze, thanks to the well-laid-out watch app. As a win for iPhone users, you can sync your data from any of the watches we tested to the Apple Health app, which we think offers the best visualization of health metrics.
A look at the activity screen on the Ultra 3, and some of the common shortcuts using the orange action button. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 features a redesigned interface that makes it feel more like a smartwatch. It mimics the user interface of the Fenix 8, which makes it feel more cohesive within the Garmin ecosystem than the previous model. It includes helpful apps like Morning Report, nap detection, and daily energy tracking, though a new subscription model now puts some previously free advanced analytics behind a paywall.
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 features a touchscreen-first design with two buttons for navigation. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Suunto has a really beautiful layout that integrates photos, and its native apps were easier to figure out than Garmin's. The Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2 share the same clean Suunto companion app, featuring sleep phases, an AI Coach, and an expanded ecosystem of training apps. The Suunto Run remains one of the simplest and most intuitive interfaces in our lineup. One persistent issue across Suunto's lineup is how they handle notifications. Alert beeps cannot be silenced independently of full Do Not Disturb mode, which can be frustrating in daily use because it's all-or-nothing.
With such a large screen, the Suunto Vertical 2 was particularly easy to learn and navigate. Credit: Matthew Richardson
You'll notice there isn't as much range in our rankings for this metric. This is due to similarities in the interfaces – within a brand's line, even the less expensive watches mimic the interfaces of the most expensive models. If you can use the top-of-the-line Coros Vertix 2S, you will instantly be able to use the Coros Apex 4 or Pace 4, for example. All Coros models feature a scroll wheel, and all new models include a touchscreen that makes it easier to navigate menus. The Apex 4 adds a speaker and microphone for phone calls and voice alerts, a first for Coros and a meaningful everyday upgrade.
The Coros Vertix 2S does a great job of providing endless battery life for daily health tracking while putting in heavy training loads. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Ultimately, it's hard to say which brand is easiest to use because each is different, yet similar. Perhaps the deciding factor is whether or not you prefer a scroll wheel or dedicated buttons – if you like a watch with a scroll wheel, look at Coros watches; if you prefer dedicated buttons, look at Garmin or Suunto watches. As watch companion apps continue to improve, we are impressed by the level of customization available – every watch we tested is quite good.
Looking at the apps between brands, they are all fairly clear and easy to use.
Extra Features
Across all the devices we tested, GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring are the minimum. A higher price tag generally equates to more features built into the software. The most advanced watches offer features such as flashlights, blood oxygen readings, topographic maps, and a suite of smartwatch-enabled capabilities. Some features lend themselves to urban use, while others are well-suited to expeditions into unfamiliar terrain.
Some features that are desirable to some people may be useless to others. While we note the main features in our rating table at the top of this article, we suggest checking out the spec sheets on each brand's website to view the most detailed feature lists. Since price increases directly with the number of features, when choosing a new smartwatch, we recommend that you're honest with yourself about what features you'll actually use.
The top-scoring models, such as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Solar, feature advanced GPS tracking, numerous activity profiles, advanced health metrics, and premium topo maps for easier navigation. The new Fenix has voice assistance that can be used offline or via your phone's Bluetooth connection. It now also includes dive modes, which were previously available only on dive-specific models. The Ultra 3 still handles calls, messages, and Siri voice control with ease, all within Apple's polished and intuitive interface.
The Fenix 8 Solar is particularly useful for long training runs, because its ability to solar charge allows you to GPS track for much longer than the Ultra 3, which has a notably shorter battery life. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 takes off-grid capabilities even further with new satellite SOS, two-way texting, and Find My updates. (SOS is available for everyone, while texting and Find My updates only apply to users with an active cellular plan.) While battery life takes a hit with heavy GPS or display use, the Ultra 3 remains the most capable and connected option for anyone who wants reliability both on and off the grid.
With thousands of apps to choose from, the Apple Ultra 3 has the most extensive app catalog of any watch we tested. Credit: Matthew Richardson
One of our favorite recent features is a dedicated LED flashlight. The beam can be shone at a much more natural wrist angle, making it a good backup for evening runs or finding things in the middle of the night. Both white and red LED lights are available on the Garmin Enduro 3, Fenix 8, and Forerunner 970.
The Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2 both benefit from an AI Coach, an expanded ecosystem of partner training apps, and no subscription fees. Neither offers offline music, contactless payments, or a speaker, which keeps them behind the Garmin and Apple models in this metric. The Vertical 2 also features a dedicated LED flashlight, making it the first non-Garmin watch in our lineup to offer this feature.
Beyond its improved training apps, the Suunto Race 2 offers a handful of helpful native apps, like sunrise and sunset calculators. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Coros Apex 4 represents a significant leap in Coros's feature set, adding a speaker and microphone for phone calls, heart rhythm monitoring via an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, and storage for downloaded music. This brings the Apex 4, specifically, much closer to the feature depth of Garmin watches, though it still lacks contactless payment and a third-party app marketplace.
An ECG sensor can be useful for collecting heart rate data after strenuous uphill efforts, though you have to be standing still so as not to disrupt the monitor. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Compared to the Apex 4, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers contactless payment, offline music from Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, thousands of downloadable apps and watch faces, crash detection, and live tracking, making it the most feature-complete watch in its price tier.
The Garmin Connect app is a great way to view your latest health and workout data. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Wearability
We used these watches for all-day use, and our opinions will reflect that. If you have a dedicated wristwatch that will take priority over your active GPS watch, take that into consideration. We prioritize premium materials and a good design since this is something we wear 24/7, except while charging.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 has a super-thin design that works great for running. The Coros Pace 4 is the lightest watch in our lineup, weighing 1.1 ounces with the nylon band, and it disappears on the wrist during runs. The 1.3-ounce Suunto Run remains one of the lightest watches we've tested. If your primary activity is running, we would stick with the 47 mm case size of the Forerunner 970 – the weight difference between this and the larger options is noticeable for activities with a lot of arm movement.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 may have a large screen, but it's lightweight enough that you hardly notice it when you're running. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Suunto Race 2 has the largest display in our lineup at 1.5 inches, and its crown-and-button layout makes it easy to use this watch while wearing gloves. The Suunto Vertical 2 has a rugged, expedition-ready aesthetic, though at 3.0 ounces, it is on the heavier side.
Suunto continues to impress with its great design and build quality.
The rectangular shape of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 may not be for everyone, but it was a favorite of our team. The titanium bezel and ceramic back feel both rugged and premium. The always-on display is vibrant and easy to read under any sun conditions. The standard watch face is awesome-looking, and the adjustable red mode is perfect for a night under the stars.
Even in direct sunlight, it's easy to read the Apple Ultra 3. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apex 4 brings a titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire glass to the Coros' mid-priced watch, giving it a premium feel that punches above its price point. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is one of the most compact watches in our lineup, with a 42mm bezel that's only 13mm thick – it's an excellent choice for everyday wear and athletes with smaller wrists.
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is so small and lightweight it practically disappears on your wrist, something we wouldn't say about most of the other watches we tested. Credit: Matthew Richardson
We recommend either the Garmin Enduro 3 or Coros Vertix 2S for a more rugged design. Both of these watches are made with high-quality materials and are durable enough to withstand years of abuse. The Vertix 2S's 51 mm case size is ideal for those with a larger wrist.
Testing the latest Coros watches running in snowy Colorado. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Garmin Fenix 8 Solar offers the best contrast and screen brightness among the watches we tested with MIP screens, which tend to be much less bright than AMOLED screens. The data fields pop, and the numbers are bolder than those on the Coros models, like the Vertix 2S.
Solar watches, like the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar or Enduro 3, are great for extending your battery life. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Similarly important, the dedicated buttons on Garmin models make it easier to access the data screens during intense activities. We tended to bump the scroll wheel on Coros watches, which required enabling a lockout mode to avoid accidentally changing anything. We like the action and sureness of dedicated physical buttons, but if you use the swipe touchscreen feature or auto-scroll, this may be less important to you.
Lower temperatures can run a battery down. Impressively, this was not the case with the Coros watches we tested. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Polar Grit X2 Pro impresses with a rugged yet sleek titanium design and a vibrant display protected by sapphire glass. Its low-profile case sits comfortably on the wrist during all-day wear and training. With responsive buttons and touchscreen controls, it's built for versatility in harsh or everyday environments.
From a design standpoint, this is one of our favorite watches, and Polar's use of premium materials is noticeable even if it does come at a cost. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Battery Life
For anyone traveling long distances, battery life is probably one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a watch. Battery life is affected by many things, including your route, GPS signal, coverage, the number of apps you have turned on/off, the battery mode you have set, and how long you run your device. As a result, we appreciate that many of the watches we tested have battery modes and profiles that make it easy to turn features on or off at once without digging through menus.
When looking at stats for the watches in our lineup, it's important to remember that there is a rough correlation between case size and battery life. A larger case means a physically larger battery, which, in turn, generally has more capacity. We think 24 hours of GPS tracking is a good place to start for most people, and to increase only if you know you'll need more battery.
If your priority is a smartwatch that seemingly never dies, then you might consider a solar watch like the Garmin Enduro 3 or Fenix 8 Solar. However, it's important to note that minimal percentage gains are made while GPS is running, so you will want a power backup if you plan to use GPS tracking extensively. Note that the new Suunto Vertical 2 no longer offers a solar option, ending Suunto's solar era in favor of a bright, vivid display with a larger battery.
Even on rainy days, you'll experience some solar gain during the daytime, which will help the Fenix 8 Solar last longer than a comparable watch. Credit: Matthew Richardson
For maximum battery usage without solar charging, the Coros models excel across their range. The battery life on the Vertix 2S is impressive, with almost 120 hours of advanced satellite tracking. The new Coros Apex 4 delivers 63 hours of measured GPS battery life with a standard MIP display, making it another strong option for multi-day trips. The Suunto Vertical 2 is remarkable because it delivers 66 hours of battery life even with an AMOLED display, which is much brighter and uses more power than an MIP display.
Watches with a MIP display are easy to view in a variety of weather and sun conditions. We continue to appreciate them for their battery performance and always-on display. If you want the brightest, clearest display, look at some of the options with AMOLED screens. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Coros Pace 4 stands out among price-point options for offering 40 hours of battery life, even with the upgraded AMOLED display. The Pace 4 essentially doubles the GPS endurance of similarly priced competitors – the similarly priced Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers only 20 hours of battery life.
The Coros Pace 4 delivers 40 hours of GPS battery life in an ultralight bright-screen package. Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 scored poorly on the battery metric due to its always-on display. There is a low-power mode, but the battery life still doesn't quite measure up to some other options. Personally, we like having the watch face always displayed, but this will drastically reduce battery life, so take this into consideration.
We kept everything set to default settings when running our battery tests, in the condition that most people will start using their watches. To extend your watch's battery life, turn off notifications and other functions you don't need before your activity.
Charging speed is also worth considering. The Suunto Race 2 and Vertical 2 are among the fastest models charging from empty to full. Both watches also allow meaningful top-ups in as little as 10-15 minutes, which is valuable for athletes charging at aid stations or between back-to-back sessions. Comparatively, the Coros and Garmin models generally take 90-120 minutes to fully charge.
If your main priority is battery life, the Coros models and the new Suunto Vertical 2 are the clear winners. Consider the longest time you expect to be out and choose a watch that best matches your needs.
No matter how you choose to exercise, there's a great GPS watch in our lineup to fit your needs and budget. Credit: Matthew Richardson
Other Notable GPS Watches
Garmin Instinct 3 – This expedition-ready watch is more affordable than the Fenix 8, and more durable, too. Even though it's built tough, it doesn't include full topo maps, which is rather important if you're traveling off-trail.
Garmin Forerunner 165 – This watch continues to be one of the best entry-level Garmin options for dedicated runners, at a price point that's a fraction of flagship models like the Forerunner 970. But the battery life is modest at only 19 hours in GPS mode, and it lacks real-time pacing guidance.
Garmin Forerunner 55 – This is the simplest and most affordable Garmin watch we tested, and it remains another great entry point for new runners. It offers accurate heart rate tracking and basic training plans, but no maps and subpar GPS tracking compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 6.
Fitbit Charge 6 – This is the smallest and most minimalist tracker we tested, sitting somewhere between a traditional fitness band and a GPS watch. For people who want accurate step counting and sleep monitoring, and only occasionally want to track walks or jogs, the Charge 6 is hard to beat. However, its feature set is meager compared to every other watch we tested.
Other notable watches you might consider (left to right): Garmin Instinct 3, Forerunner 165, and Forerunner 55; Fitbit Charge 6.
Conclusion
Buying a GPS watch is a big decision and a significant investment. You should read our individual gear reviews for a more in-depth look at the various models we tested. If you're planning to travel to remote locations or deep into the backcountry, it's also worth checking out our review of satellite communicators. For expeditions, it's also worth considering carrying a solar power bank to charge your various electronics.
